History, Travel, and Photography

Abraham Lincoln Lived Here

From 1836 to 1861, Abraham Lincoln lived in the only house he owned in Springfield, Illinois

Abraham Lincoln home in Springfield, Illinois. © 2022 by Randy Runtsch.

America will never be destroyed from the outside. If we falter and lose our freedoms, it will be because we destroyed ourselves. — Abraham Lincoln

In April, my wife and I traveled south from Minnesota to visit our son, a student at Iowa State University in Ames. The weather forecast was stellar, with sunshine and summer-like temperatures. So, we extended the original day trip into a three-night mini-vacation.

We had not eaten inside a restaurant since the coronavirus pandemic began. The unseasonable and beautiful weather would allow us to dine alfresco.

We enjoyed a picnic lunch with our son in Ames. Then, we visited the Iowa State campus to view his recently completed artwork.

After we left Ames, we stayed in Des Moines, Iowa, Springfield, Illinois, and Madison, Wisconsin. Each city offered good food and fascinating diversions and sites.

Old Illinois state capitol. Lincoln served as a state legislator here in the 1830s. © 2022 by Randy Runtsch.

We enjoyed long walks and a good night’s sleep in Des Moines. After breakfast, we drove east toward Springfield. Abraham Lincoln, the 16th President of the United States, lived there from 1836 to 1861.

On the way, we watched bison graze at Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge. Then, we stretched our legs in Iowa City. While there, we viewed the Old Iowa Capitol Building on the University of Iowa campus. We chanced upon the Oakes-Wood House. Celebrated artist Grant Wood made it his home from 1936 until he died in 1942. He painted the iconic American Gothic.

Statue of Abraham Lincoln before the Illinois State Capitol building in Springfield. © 2022 by Randy Runtsch.

We proceeded eastward and crossed the Mississippi River at Davenport, Iowa. Davenport is part of the Quad Cities (now five cities), along with Bettendorf…